Wright earns World Cup cash pay-out for PNE

Preston North End were one of 396 clubs who shared a cash pay-out from last summer’s World Cup in Brazil.

Clubs who had players involved in the tournament got the payment as part of an agreement struck between FIFA and the European Club Association.

Lilywhites centre-half Bailey Wright went to Brazil with the Australia squad, although he did not make it on to the pitch in any of their three games.

But North End were paid $76,500 – around £50,000 – for his involvement.

All clubs were entitled to a $2,800 payment for every day one of their players was at the World Cup.

The clock started two weeks before the tournament and ran until the day after a country was eliminated.

Of the 396 clubs who supplied players to the event, 240 are registered with the European Club Association.

FIFA first drew up the agreement with the ECA for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

The figure for 2010 was $40m and that increased to $70 for last year’s event.

A statement on the ECA website said: “ECA is pleased to announce that 396 clubs affiliated to 57 different national associations from around the globe will receive a share of the benefits from the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

“Similar to the 2011 FIFA World Cup in South Africa and as part of an agreement between ECA and FIFA signed in 2008, FIFA allocates an amount from the benefits of the World Cup to clubs to recognise the important part they play in the success of the tournament.

“The agreed provisions set aside were $40m for the 2010 World Cup and $70m for last year’s event in Brazil. The payments are distributed via the national associations to the clubs of the 736 players who participated.

“A club’s share of the $70m is calculated by reference to the number of players from a club who were selected for their national team and the number of days each player was at the tournament.

“This period started two weeks before the opening match of the final competition, up until the day after his national team was eliminated.”

Bayern Munich were the club to pocket the biggest share of the pot – more than $1.7m – with a number of their players in the victorious Germany squad.

Real Madrid and Chelsea received more than $1.2m each, with Manchester United, Arsenal, Manchester City and Barcelona getting around $1.1m.

Wright, 22, was a surprise call-up to the Australia squad, having been uncapped at the time.

He was an unused sub for the Socceroos’ three group games against Chile, Holland and Spain.

In September, Wright won his first full cap in a friendly against Saudi Arabia at Craven Cottage – he scored in a 3-2 win.

He has recently returned to action after undergoing groin surgery in October – an injury he had been carrying since the end of last season.

Wright’s first game after three months on the sidelines came in the 2-0 FA Cup win over Norwich City.

Against Walsall and Sheffield United, he was an unused sub with Tom Clarke and Paul Huntington playing at the heart of the defence.